Fic: I in Love Based on I in Team (1/3) B/W PG

TITLE: The I in Love
NAME: Ivy Gort
E-MAIL:Ivygort@xxxxxxxxxxx
RATING: PG
SPOILERS: Season Four
PAIRING: Buffy and Willow
SUMMARY: BHV Challenge, make I in Team Willow/Buffy friendly.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own them.

ARCHIVING/DISTRIBUTION : Just ask, if you are of age, I'll say yes.
FEEDBACK: Please it helps me write faster.

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I in Love

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Part One

I'm sitting here, at the Bronze, watching Anya and Xander have a blast

dancing. I feel like a third wheel, again. I don't understand why I didn't

let Tara come along tonight; she would have enjoyed getting out of her dorm

room. I could see how painfully shy she is and I want to bring her out into

the light. Like what Buffy did to me in high school when she ignored

Cordelia and became my friend. It's just that something seemed wrong this

afternoon when I was talking toTara, it didn't have the feeling of "let's

be friends" it felt more like, "will you go out with me?"

And that gift! A dolls-eye crystal is expensive, that's why I haven't been

able to get one. Tara wanted to give it to me, the same crystal that belonged

to her grandmother! There was no way I could have accepted it and Tara must

have known that.

Darn, I wish Buffy would show up! I miss her, I miss walking with her to

class, hearing her come home late and knowing that she was safe for another

night.

"Oh, well this was the only one I had on me. Besides, it's getting late.

Maybe we should go." I vaguely hear Xander say something and wonder how long

they had been standing at the table while I was lost in thought. Then his

words run through my mind . . . .

"Go? You can't go. Buffy hasn't gotten

here yet," even I can hear the panicked edge in my voice.

If Xander andAnya leave then I'll have to leave too, it's just too dangerous to go

anywhere in Sunnydale alone.

Unless you're the Slayer.

"Let's face it, Will. She's over an hour late. She's probably out living the life of

Riley. I don't think she's coming." Xander gives me that look he has when

he's trying to break bad news without hurting my feelings.

"She is!" The words sound unconvincing even to my ears. "She said she was looking forward

to spending quality time with just us." And she did say that this morning

between ogling Riley and babbling about her action-filled night with the

boys.

Then the air seems to change, it becomes charged as it always does whenever

the Slayer enters the Bronze and I look towards the door--she is a vision.

She has on her favorite red halter that she wears when she's playing innocent

victim on patrol.

"See? Here she comes . . ." I don't hide the smirk. A smirk that fades as

I see not only Riley come through the door behind her but also a bunch of other

military type guys. They stick out like a . . . a sticky out thing. ". . .

with Riley . . . and some other guys." I lamely finish and see both Anya

and Xander cringe.

Buffy, of course, acts oblivious to Xander's and Anya's discomfort.

"Hi, all. Sorry about the late-itude," she says, catching my eyes with

hers.

"Late? Really? Huh. Hadn't noticed," Xander says sarcastically to cover

his hurt that Buffy was not only late but that she brought Riley and the

commandos with her. Buffy gives him a look, then smiles at me.

"Hope you don't mind us tagging along," Riley asks rhetorically.

And I want to answer him, 'What, are you two joined at the hip or something?

Can't you let Buffy out of your sight for one second?' Only I don't because

I'm a good girl and what right do I have to try to come between them? I'm

Buffy's best friend, not her boyfriend . . . .

'Where did that thought come from?' I think frantically. Then stop thinking

because I'm Buffy's best friend with a period at the end, not a question mark.

Oh, yeah, I'm supposed to put the huge, good looking boyfriend at ease, it's

my job. Did I mention that I hate my job?

"No, of course not. The more the. . . more." Well, that wasn't one of my finest moments and Buffy's

attention is drawn to me, her full-out Slayer mode attention.

"This is Graham. This is Forrest. That's Kevin. And that's Jay in the back," Riley

continues, as if he doesn't notice that Buffy is no longer listening.

Her hazel eyes lock for just a moment with mine. And her eyes darken? Did

I see her eyes darken?

******

Bright Blessings,